This project investigated the nature of natural organic matter (NOM) appearing in source water in the relevant parts of the country, and presents an assessment of the efficiency of selected drinking water treatment plants. The plants reflect typical unit processes used throughout the country. The report has classified the NOM categories according to their removal efficiency. Work on actual plants was supplemented by suitable bench-scale process simulation investigations, since the treatment performance of full-scale treatment plants did not provide sufficient detail and extensive bench-scale work was required to provide a large enough database. Three advanced methods were sufficiently developed to apply in the project, namely BDOC, FEEM and modified PRAM. Suitable existing and novel techniques and processes which could be employed to remove the problematic NOM fractions were identified and included enhanced coagulation, activated carbon and nanoporous polymers. Enhanced coagulation and carbon adsorption were thoroughly covered. Ion exchange (both weak and strong resin) was covered in less detail. Ozonation was addressed through a limited number of samples from full-scale treatment plants. Some exploratory work on nanomaterials was included towards the end of the project. A guideline on the efficient removal of NOM from South African source waters was complied and is included in the final report.